Nominations Open for the 20th Annual Oticon Focus on People Awards

Somerset, NJ
2 April 2018

Nationwide awards program recognizes remarkable individuals with hearing loss

Hearing aid manufacturer Oticon, Inc. today opened the call for nominations for the 2018 Focus on People Awards. Now in its 20th year, the national awards program honors students, adults, and advocates with hearing loss who demonstrate that hearing loss doesn't hinder one's ability to make a difference in the world. Spotlighting outstanding individuals and their achievements, Oticon continues its mission to change outdated stereotypes and open doors of opportunity for people with all degrees of hearing loss.

"Over the past 20 years, we've celebrated more than 270 extraordinary individuals and hearing care professionals and have awarded more than $250,000 in prizes through the Focus on People Awards program," said Nancy Palmere, Director of Consumer Marketing and Public Relations for Oticon. "From a designer and photographer to an attorney to even a deputy inspector with the New York City Police Department, each and every Focus on People nominee has amazed and inspired us all. We expect nothing less this year and can't wait to see the nominations come in."

The Oticon Focus on People Awards are offered in four categories:

Student — For full-time students with hearing loss, ages 6 - 25

Adults — For people with hearing loss, ages 21 and above

Advocacy — For adults with hearing loss who are actively involved in support efforts for the hard-of-hearing or deaf communities

Practitioner — A special category for hearing care professionals, with or without hearing loss, who are currently in practice in either a school or clinical setting.

Anyone can nominate an individual for the awards program. If you know an inspirational person who meets this criteria, please visit www.oticon.com/fop and submit a nomination form today. The deadline for award nominations is May 18, 2018.

Once the nomination phase is complete, three finalists in each category will be selected for online voting. Online votes will determine which of the three finalists receives the first, second, or third place awards in their categories. All finalists receive a cash prize. First place winners also receive a donation to a charity of their choice, and winners in the Student, Adult, and Advocacy categories will get pair of Oticon BrainHearing™ hearing aids.
For more information on the Oticon Focus on People Awards and the nomination requirements, visit www.oticon.com/fop

About Oticon

Oticon is one of the most innovative hearing device manufacturers with more than 110 years of experience putting the needs of people with hearing loss first. Oticon has spearheaded a number of technological breakthroughs, which have made a significant difference for people with hearing loss. Oticon's "brain first" audiological focus recognizes that speech understanding and comprehension are cognitive processes that happen in the brain. Oticon's innovative BrainHearing™ technology is helping to provide better hearing with less effort by giving the brain the clearest, purest sound signals to decode. Oticon designs and manufactures hearing solutions for adults and specialized pediatric instruments. People First is Oticon's strongest and most valued commitment to empower people to communicate freely, interact naturally and participate actively. For more information visit www.oticon.com.

Media Contact
Denise DiMeglio
Gregory FCA
610-228-2102
denise@gregoryfca.com